Johnny Mercer, former Conservative Party MP of Plymouth Moor View England, has avoided a potential prison sentence after providing "further information" to a public inquiry, 10 minutes after the deadline set by the inquiry chair who requested Mr Mercery provide the names of the whistleblowers who have given evidence in the inquiry.
The inquiry set up in 2022, investigates the alleged war crimes committed by the UK special forces during deliberate detention operations in Afghanistan in the period mid-2010 to mid-2013.
Mr Mercer, Ex Veterans Minister of the UK, gave whistleblower testimonies from "multiple officers" as evidence in the inquiry which alleges the SAS killed Afghan civilians. Mr Mercer did not provide the names of the whistleblowers in order to protect them. The Chair of the inquiry Sir Charles Haddon-Cave ordered Mr Mercer to provide the names of the whistleblowers and provided a deadline of July 25th 2024 for this, refusing to do so would be a "criminal offence punishable with imprisonment and/or a fine".
Throughout this inquiry, Mr Mercer has refused to provide the names of the whistleblowers stating "As I have repeatedly stated, it remains entirely inappropriate to name those who confided in me without their consent". Despite the deadline set by Sir Charles, Mr Mercer did not reveal the names of the whistleblowers, but did provide further information, although we do not know what this information is, the Chair's spokesperson has stated that "the chair would not be taking action against him "for the time being".
UK whistleblowing NGO and Member of WIN,
Protect have released press statements on this case, with its Chief Executive Elizabeth Gardiner stating in July:
"It is paramount that the identity of these whistleblowers are protected otherwise why would anyone come forward with information in the future? Mr Mercer is right to stand firm and protect his sources. Armed forces whistleblowers are sitting ducks, with no legal protection for speaking up. They sit outside the law and have no defence or remedy if they are sacked or treated poorly after blowing the whistle.
As an MP and former Minister Mr Mercer is advocating on behalf of the whistleblowers – it is not clear how knowing their names will change the context of their claims – unless the Inquiry Chair is calling their evidence into question.
Integrity is one of the key principles of public life and whistleblowers – who may fear reprisals for speaking up – should be able to trust MPs to protect them.
Sending the wrong message now will have serious implications for future whistleblowers coming forward."
See below for the press releases about this case from Protect
April Press Release
July Press Release
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Photo Credits: Gov.uk